Last.



E. J. MOUNTAIN.

LAST.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, 1912.

1,094,739. Patented @12.28.1914.

i. nurst-wwr, rr l, al @it il EDWARD J. MOUNTAIN, Ol? NEE? YORK, N. Y.

i rae.

specification of tetterlsrateat. Application filed March 29, 1912.

Serial No. 687,245.

lowing is a specification.

My invention relates to lasts used in the manufacture of shoes, and the particular objects of my invention are to provide a last on which a vshoe may be formed which will be a great comfort to the wearer, and assist;

in the correction of anatomical imperfections or injuries to the feet, particularly to permit the construction of a shoe which will close;` than heretofore approximate to the formation of the foot of the wearer, permit flexibility in the parts where exibility is needed, and supply rigidity and support to those parts where such vcharacteristics are desired.

YUsually lasts have been made where the bottom of the sole or heel or both are substantially flat in cross-section, and provision has not been made for all of the natural or, in some cases, abnormal curves and-shapes of the foot. My invention is intended to supply this'deiiciency and to produce a last having the qualities above mentioned.

My invention is clearly setforth in the description, specified in theclaims and illustrated in the drawings, in which drawings like symbols of reference indicate similar parts throughout the respective views.

Figure l is an elevationA of my improved last, showing the inner side; F ig. 2, 'an elevation of the outer side; Fig. 3, a rear end View; Fig. 4, a front end view; and Fig. 5, a plan view.

Referring to the figures, l is the last as a whole.

2 represents a concavity at the point where in a shoe made on such a last would be the first phalanx bone of the normal foot. This concavity in the lastof course produces or assists in producing a corresponding corivexity in the insole of the shoe formed thereon, and the resulting conveXity serves to support the great toe and enables it to flex, whereas a shoe formed on the ordinary last and having no such provision is liable to cause extension and breaking down of the joint.

3 is a convexity on the outer side of the last to provide space for the great tuberosity Y of the fifth metatarsal bone, and thus provides in the shoe made on this last space and opportunity for the arch to assume and retain its normal convexit'y upward and outward. j 4 l 4 is the conveXity of the heel portion of the ast.

5 is the concavity or hollow in the sole extending transversely across the last.

6 is the longitudinalA arch on the inner side corresponding-to what is known as the hollow of the oot. A

7 is a convexity on the inner side of the last to provide space in the shoe for theinternal cuneiform and the scaphoid bones of the foot, and to thusiprovide in the shoe made on the last opportunity for the arch ofthe foot to assume and retain its normal conveXity upward.

Most lasts permit the manufacture of the conventional or standard shoe, usually hav ing a fiat sole and heel and without special provision for abnormalities, or for correcting abnormalities. In many cases a shoe made on such a last is uncomfortable and positively injurious to the wearer, especially if the foot is abnormal or injured, as by breaking down of the arch commonly called flat foot, and particularly where artificial support to the arch is insertedv or embodied in theshoe. In such latter cases the bones -of the foot are raised andneed space to' take a normal position, especially those bones known as the ifth metatarsal and the internal cuneiform.` Moreover, if the rst phalanX bone is not supported as ll have indicated, dexibility is diminished or made diiiicult and injury to the joint is liable to resuit.

l do not limit myself to any particular proportion or type of last, or method of construction, as these may be varied without departing from my invention. But

What l do claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. A last for shoes having a concavity under the part corresponding to the first phalanx bone of the great toe, and a convexity TSTEatainted Apr, 28, i914.

of the glent tuberosty of sha i sal bone and the internal euml scaphoid bones. v

@D/WARD J. MUD'K Witnesses BUEN7 LUDDEN. 

